During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, a two-step method is recommended: this consists of a cleaning phase, followed by a disinfection phase. Cleaning removes visible dirt from surfaces, and reduces the presence of viruses and bacteria. Disinfecting kills the remaining germs.

We’ve listed some products below for cleaning and disinfecting your home, as well as links for where to purchase these. You should also be wearing disposable gloves while cleaning, so we’ve included some links for these too.

Where to buy cleaning essentials online

1. Washing up liquid: Fairy Liquid

A mild solution of washing up liquid and warm water is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces, prior to disinfection. To use, apply a couple of drops of liquid in an empty spray bottle, and fill to the top with warm water. Spray directly onto your surface and wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth. If you don’t have a spray bottle to hand, apply a drop of liquid to a clean, dry microfiber and then dampen the cloth under the tap.

Dettol’s Multi-Surface Cleanser Spray kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, and is thought to be effective against COVID-19. It’s super simple to use, and can be sprayed directly onto a clean surface, wiped and left to dry.

Microfibre cloths are essential for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces during the COVID-19 outbreak. A pack of 24 from AmazonBasics will give you plenty to work with, and once they’ve been used you can wash at a high temperature of 60C+ and reuse.

Zoflora disinfectant is a versatile cleaning product and is great for a variety of floor surfaces. To use, dilute 4 caps of Zoflora disinfectant in a 1.5 litre bucket of water. Make sure to wear rubber gloves while diluting, and wash your hands after each use. Zoflora can be used with a mop on tiles, lino and most other hard flooring. You can also dilute Zoflora in a spray bottle and use it to disinfect other hard surfaces in the property.

The Government has recommended that disposable gloves should be worn while cleaning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We recommend vinyl gloves over latex gloves, as some people are allergic to latex proteins. It’s also best to purchase powder-free gloves, as the powder used in powdered gloves can cause cross-contamination.

Where to buy cleaning essentials in store

If you’d prefer to shop for cleaning essentials in local shops, there are still some places that you buy cleaning products and PPE.

Corner shops and off-licences

Plenty of independent corner shops and off-licences are better stocked than established convenience stores at the moment, so it’s definitely worth looking here for cleaning products. You may find the prices slightly higher than the supermarkets, so keep an eye out for promotional packaging that often has a special price attached.

Some corner shops have also stocked up on hand sanitiser and face masks too, to meet the new demand for these items.

Pharmacies

Although you’re unlikely to find cleaning products in your local pharmacy, many of these stores do still have hand sanitiser, face masks and gloves in stock. As well as checking the established, high-street pharmacies, make sure to pop into your local independent pharmacy - you may find they’re actually better stocked!

Hardware stores

If you’re looking to purchase PPE, hardware stores are a great place to check. You can find shoe covers, disposable gloves and face masks still in many hardware stores.